Favourite Christmas Quickies!!

I love blue and white cards for Christmas.

The card background is actually white!!

Why do camera's change colours?!!!

Spot the difference!!! 

I love making pretty, yet simple cards.

 

The Deer are from a die set I bought last Christmas.

I think it was on Amazon.

The trees are a very old stamp and I used

Broken China Distress Ink.  

I have posted all my cards and even got my tree and 

decs all done!! It certainly gives me a lift.

I really can't wait for the end of this year.

I have had so many sad happenings within my family

and friends. It's just one thing after another.

Thank you for your lovely messages on my last post

and they are all read and appreciated. 

Big hugs.

Carol

xxxx 

 

My Favourite Five Christmas Creations

Hi everyone,

 

Hope you are still enjoying the Christmas break. We had a few power cuts on Christmas Eve but nothing like some parts of the South. A tree came down at the bottom of the road, blocking it for a while. Today it's lovely to see the sun and not too windy either.

 

I decided to join in the fun of choosing my favourite 5. I found it quite difficult to do! They are not in any order of preference though. I will also link them to Debby's Challenge, A Scrapjourney.

 

 

This was one of the first cards I made, many months ago! The first, with the newly released Lili of the Valley stamps. Coloured with my favourite Distress Inks. I think she is my favourite LOTV release this year.

 

 

Another LOTV stamp! Loved it too! I am very fussy with my snowman stamps. It is all in the face and these are just right.

 

This one was great fun to make and looks so much better than the photo shows. I used white flock, mixed with ultra fine glitter on the polar bear. The shading still showed through and you could stroke his fur!

 

This was another easel card, with I think again, one of my favourite LOTV stamps. Could be used all year round too. Just do not ink the 'snow'.

 

 

This was probably my favourite card. I made it for the manager of the Charity that I fund raise for. She said she thought it was so beautiful, that it brought tears to her eyes. It is definitely one to see in real life. I used the new Cosmic Shimmer, Glitter Jewels, Iced Snow on the flowers. I think it was my favourite Christmas product this year. It gave great texture. I also used it on the snow on the polar Bear card.

 

Well I hope you like my choice. I would love to see yours. So why don't you join in the fun over the weekend.

 

Have a great weekend,

 

Hugs,

Carol S.xx

Happy Christmas!

Hi Everybody,

 

This is my last posting before the big day.

 

This card is for everyone, who takes the time to visit my blog and especially those who leave me such lovely messages. I want to wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and a Brilliant 2014.

 

I am amazed, that even at the busiest time of our year, you still find the time to stop by my little blog. Thank you so much.

 

I also would like to thank Lili of The Valley, for all the amazing stamps they have provided for us to use this year. The quality is second to none.

 

I would also like to thank their amazing design team, for the stunning inspiration they provide us with daily, through the blog. I am looking forward to 2014, to see what they come up with!

 

 

I hope to find the time over the next few weeks, how to use my blog a bit better. I don't even know how to make a post stay at the top of the page! Or even to find and use different fonts, other than the boring blogger ones! I must find out so I can do a Candy posting!

 

I just hope the weather calms down a bit. These strong winds and the non-stop heavy rain is getting boring. Our back garden has a couple of ponds we didn't have a few days ago! We even had 3 power cuts this evening. Fortunately, we had just finished our meal, when the first one happened. That one lasted for half an hour. The following 2 were a bit shorter. It's just a pain having to reset Sky TV each time it went off.

 

Well I am having an early night tonight. These 2am nights have caught up with me. So I am going to be in bed by 12.30!

 

Have a wonderful time with your friends and families and see you all soon.

 

The biggest of huggles to you all,

 

Carol S.xxxxxxxxxxx

Wheeee!!

Hi everyone,

 

Just a quick post tonight. I did a Craft Fair yesterday and sold so much, I have a lot of stock to get made, for another fair next Saturday. It's all go at this time of year. I have decided not to do any more fairs in December. Even yesterday, I was asked to do one on the 12th December. I think it's far too late, as most people would have done their present shopping by then, so I declined.

 

I loved making this little card. Just pieces of torn copier paper for the hill and edged with DI Broken China. Topped off with Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels, Iced Snow.

 

The stamp is Lili of the Valley's Sledging Buddies. I added a little shading to the Polar Bear and a touch of pink to his cheek. I then covered him with Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels, Diamond Sprinkles. The shading and colour still showed through when the glue had dried.

 

The clouds are a Joy die. The sentiment is an old stamp and the metal snowflake was from our 99p shop.

 

I am sure I can hear the little Penguin shouting "Wheeee!!"

 

The background is just Stormy Sky DI with dots of snow.

 

Now the next picture are wood turned Snowmen, from my Brother-in-law's workshop. He was playing on his lathe and came up with these. He had told me about them and wanted some Holly for their hats. I cut the leaves from a die and took them when I went to visit.  On arrival, I was directed into the workshop and he showed how to make one. I ended up making 2, the one on the right in the front row and the one just to his left in the back row.

I brought these home and he still had over 20 left! A rather large family and they all look different. Sadly, the skinny one in the middle front row, has split right down the middle.  So he had to be binned! The one on the left also split a bit down one side but not too bad, so I am keeping him. I sold 2 at the Craft Fair, so just 2 left.

 

I have another couple of things I have made that are not cards. So I will take pictures tomorrow and will try to get another post on this week.

 

Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your lovely comments. I always try to visit you blogs every day.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

In The Pink

Hi everyone,

 

Thank you for all your lovely comments on my blog. You are all so very kind and I know I am very naughty, not posting for a while! What with organising a Craft Fair, also selling at them and trying to keep up with card orders, I haven't had a spare minute. I have managed to keep up with commenting on the blogs I follow but only doing it about 1am! I have to admit, I am absolutely knackered!

 

The dust in my house is awful, so the weekend is going to be spent cleaning. Yuk!

 

This Nativity stamp from  Lili of the Valley, is definitely one of my favourite Christmas stamps this year. This is one of my 'stock' cards. Nearly a CAS card but just not too much in the way of embellies, to keep within the lowest postal rate.

 

 

The background paper is from my stash, that I made with my Granddaughter, using the shaving foam technique. It's great fun and you never know what pattern you are going to get.

 

The gorgeous little angels are coloured with Distress Inks, with Cosmic Shimmer glitter on their wings and halo's.

 

 

I also needed a new baby girl card for stock. I just love this LOTV Umbrella Bunny. I coloured her with Copics pens. The sentiment is also a LOTV stamp that comes with the baby stamp, All Our Dreams.

 

 

Again I have not added too many embellies for the postal costs.

 

 

I am going to enter the Lili of the Valley Thursday Challenge, Pink and White.

 

Next year I intend to enter more challenges. I love looking at them but can't seem to find the time to fiddle around on the computer. More me time, is my New Year resolution.

 

Thanks for stopping by. I just love reading your messages.

 

Have a great weekend.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

Little Angel

Hi to all my blogger friends, hope you are enjoying your weekend.

 

My cough has finally gone and my voice has now returned to normal. Thank you for all your get well messages.

 

Just a quick post as I am really tired tonight. I actually managed to get some housework (boring!) done today. I now won't feel so guilty, when I spend some time crafting tomorrow! I have so many orders to complete.

 

This little angel is, surprise, surprise, another Lili of The Valley stamp. Coloured with Distress Inks.

 

They have 5 new girlie stamps on sale on Monday. Guess what I will be doing that day?!

 

The backing is from Dovecraft, 'Tis The Season ' paper collection.

 

The photo below is a bit rubbish. A bit blurry to say the least. I thought it was my eyes and I haven't even had a drink tonight!Lol.

 

 

Gosh I am so tired and it's only 12.35am. It's all this housework. It really is not good for you. Crafting is much better for your physical and mental health. Really relaxing and you forget any problems you have.

 

The screen keeps disappearing from my view when I yawn. Right I am off to bed. I bet when I get there, I will not be able to get to sleep, as it's too early. Can't win! I will be up again in about an hour of tossing around the bed.

 

Thanks for stopping by and I love reading all your lovely comments.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

Snowflake Fairy

Hi to all my blog viewers. Hope you are having a good weekend. Did you remember to change the clocks?!

 

Here in West Sussex, we are tying everything down, for the high winds that are coming in later today. We have an enormous Oak tree at the bottom of our garden, which would flatten our bungalow if it fell our way! Better the opposite direction, as that is into a field!

 

So far this weekend, we have had heavy rain and windy all day yesterday and a mix of sunshine and heavy showers this morning. I think the weather stopped people coming to the Arts and Craft Market I did yesterday. It was very quiet compared to last year. I sold a quarter of the amount I did last year. The positive from that is, I don't have too much to make! Poppy clocks and Poppy candles of course!

 

Here is another Lili Of The Valley Christmas Fairy stamp. She is gorgeous. The backing paper is from Joy Crafts, Winter Paper Bloc. I really love these papers, as they go so well with the Distress Inks I use to colour with.

 

 

The metal snowflake at the bottom left, is from a pack of 6 I bought in our 99p shop. I just loved the filigree look.

 

For the snow I used Americana Writer, an Acrylic dimensional writer, with Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels Diamond Sprinkles, on the top. Stardust Stickles in other areas too.

 

I have my Grand-daughter tomorrow, as it is half term. I think she is going to laugh at my voice, as I have had a virus, which has given me a very deep voice. It started last Sunday with a tickly cough, which kept me up all night, sitting on the sofa. I have been rough for most of the week, mainly through lack of sleep. Finally I felt a bit better on Thursday. Still have a bit of a cough but only in spasms. So many people have, or have had this virus. My husband got it at work and at one time, most of the people there had it.

 

I have a few birthday cards to make today, for my Son-in-law, an elderly friend and multiple orders for 3 friends, along with Christmas card orders. Oh and Poppy clock and candles! No housework again today! Never mind. Hee Hee! 

 

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and your lovely messages. A special thanks to my new visitors and I would love you to join my other followers.

 

Big hugs and stay safe, if you are in the high wind area today.

 

Carol S.xx

White On White

Hi everyone,

 

So sorry I haven't posted lately but as I sold so much stock at my last Craft Fair, I had a lot to get made for the one I had yesterday. The last one was over 2 days and I sold 3 large and 1 small crates full of stock! Great for my Charity, Brendoncare - Stildon.

 

Had another good Fair yesterday. I sold the most I have ever sold at this venue. The fairs are every 2 months there, with an extra one at the end of November. So this week I am working flat out to make more stock, for yet another Fair on this coming Saturday! Clocks are my biggest seller at the moment!

 

This is a boxed card with my favourite, white on white. With a little Chipped Sapphire DI thrown in.

 

As this is a quick post, as I must get back to my desk, I will just list the products I used.

 

An A5 card blank, 320gsm card for the embossing and stamping. Wow white EP for the snowflakes on the first layer of the backing card. Just visible on the left.

 

 

Sheena Douglass Christmas stamp. Creative Expressions Snowflake Mask. Centre aperture cut with Spellbinders Opulent Ovals Die. Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia Die. Dee's Distinctively Wreath Builder dies for the leaves. Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels - White Ice on the flowers. The metal charm was from our 99p shop! You get 6 assorted charms for 99p! The sentiment is from Hobby Art Designs.

 

I have loads of cards made and will try to post a bit more often. I would like to enter some challenges again but it takes me so long to do! I wish I had another pair of hands and an extra 5 hours in each day!

Marianne has persuaded me to enter the Crafty Little Fairies Challenge. So I have!

 

Thank you for taking the time to visit and to leave such lovely comments. This is a busy time for all of us crafters and it is appreciated all the more, to get such wonderful comments.

 

Big hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

An Old Favourite!

Hi All,

 

I am posting 2 nights running, I can't believe it!

 

Still having problems with my photo program. If I put my name on, I then can't upload the picture. Hope to solve it over the Christmas break.

 

This Santa stamp I have had for a number of years. It was on a wooden block but I always remove them and put them onto u-mount.

 

I first made the background paper, starting with a piece of white paper and coloured it with Antique Linen Distress Ink. I then used Tea Dye DI and a Kaiser Craft Script stamp  and stamped all over the paper. I then ran a gold leaf pen around the edges.

 

 

I stamped Santa with Vintage Photo onto white card and cut it out with the largest size Nestie Label 18. I left it in the die and using Dry Foam and Vintage Photo ink, I edged it around the inside of the die. I then ran a gold leaf pen around the edge.

 

I used the same size die on a piece of gold pearlescent card, drawing around the outside of the die, making a slightly larger size. I used scissors to cut it out. I used foam pads to mount the image onto the gold card.

 

The Poinsettia I cut out of some brown patterned paper and a scrap of green paper from my stash. I then edged each petal with gold acrylic paint dabber. I glued it together and added a gold gem in the middle.

 

I cut 2 strips of gold designer paper and stuck them onto the backing paper.  I then added the sentiment. After gluing the Santa in place, I added Stickles Star Dust onto the snowflakes in his beard and on the edges of the flower. Around the edges of the image I used Gold Stickles.

 

Finally I used Glossy Accents on his eyes and his glasses.

I hope you like this card as much as I do. This really is my all time favourite image of Santa.

 

Thanks for stopping by. I will post more market photos and even pics of my finished drive!!

 

Hugs,

Carol S.xx

Computers Are Great When They Work!!

Hi All,

What a nightmare I have had for the last couple of weeks! Our computer died, then my husband managed to get it running again, briefly. Then it died again. This time he ordered a new one through his work. He works for a computer software supplier company. It has arrived but we have to wait for his manager to come to set it all up, as he has to be able to connect direct to his work.

Luckily he has managed to give our old one the kiss of life again! This time I am able to actually use it. We are hoping that our new one will get set up this week.

I have been busy making things and cards for my charity markets. I did one on Friday and then another on Saturday. Both were all day. I didn't wake up until 10o'clock this morning!

This card I made when I had a bit of playtime. I printed the 'O' onto some card using the computer and I had the letters and the 3 Kings stamps in my stash. The 'Christmas' stamp I think, was an old Stamp Addicts one.

I printed an 'O' on a piece of copy paper first and then cut out the centre of the 'O', for a mask. I found a peel off star and put it in the 'O' on the card. I then stamped and embossed the Kings below the star, using Versamark and Disco Black embossing powder. For the background, I placed the copy paper mask over the card and using a piece of Dry Foam and Stormy Sky Distress Ink, I added the ink around the edge of the hole. I then used a small piece of paper, lined it up from the star to the first King and applied the ink along the edge of the paper. I then moved the paper along as you can see the lines, applying the ink along the edge of the paper each time. Ending in front of the last camel's head.

 

 

I then removed the peel off star, so the lines look like rays from the star. I then sprayed a little Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent Mica Spray over the whole image. It doesn't show very well in the photos but has added a lovely shimmer.

I hope you like my effort and it was quite fun to do. Don't know if I would like to do a batch of them though!

I have quite a few cards to post but will have to keep my fingers crossed if the computer will let me.

I have tried to leave comments on my favourite blogs but have had problems with some of them. If you have masses of different images on the side bars, it just freezes my old girl and then I get chucked out of my Internet connection! So apologies to you but I am admiring from afar and will get back to you soon!

Thank you for stopping by.

Hugs,

Carol S.xx

Deck The Halls.

Hi everyone in Bloggerland,

I have finally finished all my Christmas cards and they are in the post! I have already started packing away all my Christmas stamps and papers. My room did look a bit like a war zone!Lol!!

This is the fireplace in my sitting room. When these decs are done, I really feel it's Christmas.

The stocking is very special to me. About 11 or 12 years ago, I saw this stocking pictured on the cover of an American cross stitch magazine. I fell in love with it straight away, so I bought the magazine. When I got it home, I was very disappointed that only the top 4" of the chart was in the mag. The rest of the chart was going to be spread over the year, coming out every few months. I never saw the magazine anywhere again.

A couple of years later, a very close friend, who I used to go to all the stitching shows with, sadly died after a long battle with cancer. She was only 54. She had left me all her cross stitch collection. Along with hundreds of kits, there were about 700 magazines, complete with the subscriptions which were paid for, so they kept coming.

I searched through all of the mags and found the complete set of the patterns for the stocking.

It took me 6 months to stitch it. Santa's robe and a lot of the background is a shiny rayon thread, which was very slippery. His beard and the animals fur is a fluffy mohair, which you just have to stroke. I felt this was the best gift my friend could have given to me and I still miss her. I was with her to the end.

This is my tree number 2 in my conservatory. We bought it last year and it has very realistic ends to the branches. The same at the one in the sitting room. My friend's husband was sitting right along side it when I was cutting her hair and he thought it was real!! Well I know it does look good but having said that, he is a man!!Lol!!

The metal bird in the heart is one of my favourite decorations on it. I also have two stags somewhere but I couldn't find them. I have a feeling they are somewhere in my craft room, as I know I did want to make a couple for the tree in my sitting room.
I did decorate half a dozen baubles this year. These are 2 of them. Not very exciting but it was all I had the time to do. Just gold and red glitter, double sided tape and a few peel offs!

I took the Charity collection box, which I had put my money in from the markets, over to the home yesterday. I had not counted it, so we were very surprised just how much I had put in there! They were very pleased with it. Made it all worth while getting up at 6am on market days! No more markets now until March!
I am now going back to sorting out my craft room. I can nearly see my desk!!
Please pop back soon,

Luv,

Carol S.xx

Phew!! Finally Time To Post!!

Hi Everyone,

What a couple of weeks I have had. I sold so much at the last market in Lindfield, that I had to work flat out to get stock made for my last market which is this Friday in Cuckfield, West Sussex!

Then at the weekend, panic! My husband is Australian and I suddenly remembered that I had not made cards for his family and friends and the last posting date was Tuesday!

Saturday morning I sat at my desk and made this card. I broke all my rules and made 8 of them.

I just used sticky post its to block off the centre band on a 6"x6" card blank. I then used Distress Inks, Chipped Sapphire, Stormy Skies, Broken China and Tumbled Glass and with Dry foam, I blended them across the band from right to left. I then used my heat gun to make sure the ink was dry.

I then dusted the whole card with my Dust Buddy. The trees and the star stamps are from Creative Expressions, from last Christmas. I stamped with clear Versamark and used Disco Black Embossing Powder.
I love the effect the embossing powder gives, which you can see a bit. It looks like the trees are lit up.
This card is so quick to make, as you also do not have to put a greeting on the front! It took just under 15 minutes in total.Hope you like it,
Please come back soon. I will even try to post again tomorrow!!
Luv,
Carol S.xx

A Golden Dabber Christmas!

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your lovely comments on my Buddha Nut post. I am glad that there are other nut lovers out there and I am not alone.Lol!!

This card I made using a Tando mask, that I bought at The Craft Barn in Lingfield. I ran it through my Joy machine on a piece of red paper, about 120gsm. They do not emboss so well on card. For the gold effect I used an Adirondack Acrylic Dabber, which I bought at Ally Pally. The gold is a very crisp bright gold.

On the edge of the leaves, I just flicked the Dabber from the tip of the leaf to get a soft edge, rather then a solid line.

I did have to take the lid off the Dabber and, using a very fine paint brush, I touched up some of the edges, to make them sharper. Added a few gems and card done! A very quick card but looks like hours have been spent on it!

Thanks for stopping by and for leaving your lovely comments. I treasure every one.
Luv,
Carol S. xx

Another Buddha Nut

Hi everyone,

Christmas is really coming nearer now. I think the warm weather is making it more difficult for me to get into it.

This is the second of the three Buddha Nuts I bought. A Nativity scene with a twist. The Nativity scene is a Jenny Mayes, Hobby Art stamp, which I bought at the Craft Barn in Lingfield.

The berries and greenery are from a very old stash of mine, along with the straw, cut from odd bits of Raffia.

The 'snow' is Cosmic Shimmer dries white glue, white flock mixed with Art Glitter, Crystal and sprinkled over the glue. I also dotted Star Dust Stickles onto the greenery. The stars I cut from scraps of Mirri Board using a Cuttlebug die.

Hope you like my nut!Lol!! It was great fun to make and just a bit different. Another item for my sale on Saturday.
Thanks for popping over to my blog and come back soon, as I have also made some more cards.
Luv,

Carol S. xx

I Hate Wallpapering!!!

Hi Everyone,

Is there anybody that really enjoys hanging wallpaper? Before we moved to this house, I had managed to not ever have to do it. I have now had to do it in every room except the kitchen and bathroom! Today I finally finished, with the last wall in my craft room. Yippee!! At least it was a bit cooler today, as my room faces south. Tomorrow I just have to paint the wall and the woodwork and I am done!

Amid the chaos, I have managed to make these two Christmas cards, with Lili Of the Valley stamps.

I really like the angel and have coloured her dress with Peeled Paint Distress Ink. Thought it would make a change from pinks etc.

For the snowflakes and stars I used an old Cuttlebug die, with a dusting of Star Dust Stickles.

The text on the card below, I have had for years. Because most of my stamps that were on wooden blocks, I have taken off. I have no idea which company made it.
The baubles are from this years release from Lili of the Valley.

I coloured them with Distress Inks. I then added Star Dust Stickles. When that had dried, I covered each bauble with Glossy Accents. Sadly this does not show in the pictures.My husband is on holiday this week, to finally finish unpacking the boxes in the garage and he has done it!! I had to help him on Sunday and Monday but it was worth it to get the job done. On Friday, I am taking him to help me at a craft market I do every month. I think he will be glad to go back to work for a rest!Lol!!
Thanks for stopping by and your lovely comments.
Luv,
Carol S. xx

Ally Pally

Hi everyone,

Gosh it is hot!! Still must not moan, just think that at least we are not having to have the heating on! My craft room window faces south, so I had to pull my blind down a bit, without shutting out the little bit of breeze.

We had a great day out at Ally Pally. I bumped into a friend of mine that I used to live three houses away from, in a village near Crawley. That was over thirty years ago! It was only a couple of years ago I found out, that as a child she lived in London, a couple of streets away from me! Not only that but she went to the dancing class in the house next door to mine. I also went to the same class!! We were also in the same class at infant school!! This I found out, as I saw her picture on Friends reunited. It is such a small world.

This is a card I made with the first Christmas stamp release from LOTV. We quickly made our way to their stand at Ally Pally. I could have quite easily bought every stamp that I haven't already got! Lol!!

I coloured her clothes with Aged Mahogany and Fired Brick, Distress Inks. Her hair is Vintage Photo.

For the fur trim, I mixed Crystal Ultra Fine glitter with Fun Flock and put it on top of Cosmic Shimmer Dries White glue.

The ribbon I also bought at the show. A bargain at 6mts for £1!! The stamp was a free gift with a Mag. The Berries I have had a couple of years!

We were 5 very tired but happy ladies at the end of the day.
Thank you for popping in to visit my blog and I thank you for your lovely comments.
Luv,

Carol S.xx